BBC Sport - Horse Racing - Tony McCoy wins Grand National on Don't Push It Tony McCoy wins Grand National on Don't Push It Don't Push It wins the Grand National Tony McCoy ended his Grand National jinx in superb style as he claimed victory at the 15th attempt on board 10-1 joint favourite Don't Push It. Don't Push It jumped the last with Black Apalachi but pulled away down the straight to give trainer Jonjo O'Neill and owner JP McManus their first wins. Black Apalachi (14-1) was five lengths behind, ahead of State of Play (16-1). Joint favourite Big Fella Thanks, with Barry Geraghty replacing injured jockey Ruby Walsh, finished fourth. McCoy, the 14-time champion jockey, has ridden more than 3,000 winners, but Grand National victory had remained frustratingly elusive, with three third-place finishes his best efforts before Saturday. McCoy thanks trainer The 35-year-old Northern Irishman, who first rode the National in 1995, was close to tears as he spoke to BBC Sport after crossing the finish line of the four-and-a-half-mile marathon.

"I'm being a big wuss. It means everything to me to win the Grand National. "I've won lots of big races and I'm supposed to be a good jockey, but to not win the Grand National would be a bit of a negative on the CV." Trainer O'Neill, who never won the race as a jockey, also celebrated an emotional win. Walsh, twice a winner of the National, suffered a broken arm in a heavy fall on Celestial Halo in the Dick Francis Aintree Hurdle earlier on the card. He was replaced by Geraghty, with Richard Johnson taking over on Geraghty's original mount Tricky Trickster. But Big Fella Thanks nonetheless went out as joint favourite along with Don't Push It, after a late flurry of bets on McCoy's mount. Grand National - closing stages (UK users only) And there was more drama at the start as King Johns Castle, ridden by Paul Carberry, refused to race, despite stewards holding the start to allow the horse to settle. As Conna Castle made the early running, McCoy bided his time on the first circuit. But he later revealed that during that first circuit he had an inkling that this could be his day.

"I had a strange feeling early on that the horse was enjoying what he was doing," McCoy told BBC Radio 5 live on Sunday. "But you have to keep your concentration and the more the race went on, the more I got the buzz." And with four fences of the 30 to go, he surged to the front and eventually won by a decisive margin. Black Apalachi, trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes, was left trailing in his wake. His jockey Denis O'Regan said: "He was a bit keen early on but once he settled into a lovely rhythm he was fantastic. It's a pleasure to ride a horse like him round here." Paul Moloney's mount State of Play, went one better than his fourth position last time round for Welsh trainer Evan Williams. Moloney said: "It was a serious run from a serious horse who has been very good to me and he might win it next year." Hello Bud, ridden prominently throughout by 17-year-old Sam Twiston-Davies, was in contention at the second last but faded to finish fifth. Nina Carberry, attempting to become the first woman to win the race on Character Building, finished in seventh, behind the well-backed Snowy Morning.

Last year's winner Mon Mome was going well when he fell at the 26th fence. Preists Leap was the last of 14 finishers, by which time celebrations in the Don't Push It camp were well under way. Grand National - how they fared McManus, a former joint-owner of Manchester United, paid tribute to racing manager Frank Berry, who found the horse in Listowel. "I don't think without Frank we would have had the horse," he said. "Full marks to Jonjo and the team as he's been a difficult horse down the years to keep right and keep his mind right." McCoy waited until Thursday to choose Don't Push It ahead of Can't Buy Time, who unseated jockey Richie McLernon at the eighth fence. "My trainer put me on the right one if truth be known," he said. "I asked him to toss a coin and I think he tossed it a few times until he got Don't Push It. I couldn't have picked it, but Jonjo was very adamant and I didn't argue with him. "If you get enough goes at something and you keep going, once you're in there you've always got a chance.

606: DEBATE Grand National 2010: Tony McCoy rides Don't Push It to victory in big race at Aintree - Telegraph Horse Racing Grand National 2010: Tony McCoy rides Don't Push It to victory in big race at Aintree Tony McCoy has finally won the Grand National as Don't Push It - his 15th ride in the race - provided the champion jockey with a famous victory at Aintree. Champions: Tony McCoy is handed the Grand National winner's trophy by Peter Kay Photo: PA Image 1 of 3 Moment of triumph: McCoy turns to the gallery as Don't Push It crosses the line Photo: PA Leap of faith: runners and riders jump the water at Aintree Photo: PA By Telegraph staff and agencies 4:39PM BST 10 Apr 2010 Black Apalachi was prominent throughout but McCoy was always stalking him on the second circuit. As they jumped the last together, McCoy galvanised his mount to take up the running before the Elbow and the relief the record-breaking rider showed immediately afterwards was immense.

An almighty gamble in the minutes before the four-and-a-half-mile marathon saw the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Don't Push It sent off the 10-1 joint-favourite along with Big Fella Thanks, with the latter ridden by Barry Geraghty in the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh. Geraghty was another still going well approaching the second-last, along with 17-year-old Sam Twiston-Davies on Hello Bud. But Black Apalachi and Don't Push It pulled clear and it was McCoy who took the plaudits as he won by five lengths. Related Articles Grand National runners guide 09 Apr 2010 State Of Play went one better than last year to stay on for third, with Big Fella Thanks fourth and Hello Bud fifth. Legendary owner-gambler JP McManus had been trying to win the Aintree spectacular for years but his ambition finally came true. Nina Carberry, attempting to become the first woman to win the race on Character Building, had a great spin round to finish seventh with Snowy Morning sixth to add to his good record in the race.

Last year's winner Mon Mome still appeared to be going well when he fell at the 26th fence. A tearful McCoy said: "I'm being a big wuss. It means everything to me to win the Grand National. "I've won lots of big races and I'm supposed to be a good jockey, but to not win the Grand National would be a bit of a negative on the CV. "I'm delighted for my mum and dad as they've been great for me throughout the years, and for my wife Chanelle and my daughter Eve, who is two and a half. "Hopefully now she'll be proud of me when she grows up." McCoy continued: "My trainer put me on the right one if truth be known. I asked him to toss a coin and I think he tossed it a few times until he got Don't Push It. "I couldn't have picked it, but Jonjo was very adamant and I didn't argue with him. "If you get enough goes at something and you keep going, once you're in there you've always got a chance.

"I'm delighted for JP (McManus) as he's the best supporter this game has ever had and ever will have, and I'm very privileged to ride a Grand National winner in his colours." Chanelle McCoy said: "I'm speechless. For him to do this means the absolute world to him. I know he would have loved his parents to be here. "It is so emotional and for him to do it for Mr McManus and for Jonjo and Jacqui (O'Neill), it is a fantastic achievement. It's brilliant." O'Neill said: "It's fantastic and I thought it would never happen to me. "I'm delighted it's happened and I'm delighted for AP (McCoy) and JP and all the lads. "Alan Berry does everything with this horse at home so well done to him. The horse lives out in a field with half a dozen sheep. "I didn't believe it was going to happen until they passed the post as I thought something was going to happen, but it's marvellous. "Things can't get much better than this.

McManus added: "First of all I want to thank Frank Berry (racing manager) as he found the horse in Listowel and I don't think without Frank we would have had the horse. "Full marks to Jonjo and the team as he's been a difficult horse down the years to keep right and keep his mind right." Dessie Hughes said of his gallant runner-up: "He couldn't have done any more and to be honest he had too much weight. "He ran his heart out. He made one mistake but he came back again." Owner Gerard Burke added: "It's almost as good as winning. He was up there all the way and even if he never wins a National, we got him there and he was good enough for it." Paul Nicholls said of Big Fella Thanks: "I'm chuffed to bits with him, I just doubt whether Big Fella quite stays but there were no excuses and I'm delighted for AP as it is perfect for racing." Denis O'Regan said of Black Apalachi: "I had a tremendous ride, he jumped superbly. "He's a credit to Dessie Hughes and all his team back home because he was in fantastic condition, he jumped from fence to fence.

"Fair play to AP, he beat me fair and square and the best horse won on the day. Fair play to him as he's achieved so much. "He was a lot more settled this year, it was a great run." Geraghty added of Tricky Trickster: "He jumped great and travelled well. I was with AP going to the second-last but I knew he had plenty of horse under him. "It's great for AP and JP they deserve it. I was running out of petrol going to the second-last." Grand National glory at last for Tony McCoy on Don't Push It | Sport | The Guardian Grand National glory at last for Tony McCoy on Don't Push It • Tony McCoy wins Grand National at 15th attempt Saturday 10 April 2010 11.40 EDT First published on Saturday 10 April 2010 11.40 EDT Close This article is 6 years old "I'm a dreamer," Tony McCoy said after climbing off Don't Push it in the winner's enclosure that many thought he would never visit.

"I'm always dreaming that I'll win every race I'm in." And this time at Aintree, his 15th attempt at this race, there was no rough awakening, no sudden jolt back to grey reality. This was the McCoy Grand National , his version of the Matthews Cup Final, and the most surprising thing about it was just how easily the hoodoo was laid to rest. In truth, it was buried with barely a struggle. Twelve months ago, a great gang of horses were still in contention with three of the 30 fences left to jump, but this time around there were just four, led by Black Apalachi, with Don't Push It and Big Fella Thanks, the 10-1 joint-favourites, both going ominously well. Once McCoy played his hand going to the last, though, it was clear that only a bizarre mishap could stop him, and he had already suffered more than his full quota of those in previous years. He was five lengths ahead of Black Apalachi at the line, with State Of Play another 20 lengths back in third, and Big Fella Thanks, whose stamina deserted him from the last, only fourth.

Very few horses ever threatened to get involved in the finish – only 14 completed the course. The early omens for the winning owner, JP McManus, whose own National record was a blank from 33 runners before this race, were not good either, as King John's Castle, who had been runner-up in the race two years before, planted himself at the start and refused to race. But McCoy had been steered towards Don't Push It by his trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, whose own championship-winning career in the saddle ended without even a completion in the National, never mind a victory. And the jockey had long suspected that, though he is a quirky, moody animal, the unique challenge of Aintree might bring out the best in him. They had barely jumped Becher's Brook for the first time before McCoy started to realise that his instincts were correct. "To be honest, I thought after a mile that I had the race in the bag," he said, and while that might still have been the adrenaline talking, Don't Push It made life very easy for his partner. "At that point, I wouldn't have swapped him for anything, and I mean anything, not just horses," McCoy said.

"He had just totally taken to it. He's always been a bit too intelligent at times, but today he used all his brains in the right way. "He's always been a horse with ability and that's what you need for this race. He's a little bit mentally unstable, which maybe is why he gets on well with me, but at times he's shown that he has class. "I was aware how long it is from turning into the straight here [to the line] so I was worried about going too early, but I thought he ran pretty well over three miles and three furlongs at Cheltenham [in November] so in the back of my mind I thought he'd definitely stay." McCoy's victory also provided a rich reward to all those fans who had kept the faith through the travails of the previous 14 years. Don't Push It was a25-1 chance in the morning and deserved to be a relative outsider on the balance of his form, but a relentless public gamble throughout the day forced him to the top of the market by the time the tapes went up. The money was all for McCoy, rather than his horse, though it was a faith borne of respect, more than familiarity.

Despite his unbroken run of championships stretching back to the mid-1990s, and more than 3,000 career winners, McCoy has never been high-profile. Even his young daughter, he said, "is more into Ruby Walsh than me". McCoy's image tends to be that of a stern, driven man. He has the hollow cheeks of a jockey in thrall to the scales, and rarely seems to have time to enjoy one victory before moving on to the next. Today, though, the joy and relief were bursting out. "I've won a few other races nobody knows about," he said, "but everyone on the street knows about the Grand National. It's the people's race and, from a jockey's perspective, that's why it's important. "At least I can think that I've sort of done all right as a jockey now." It was obvious, too, what the win meant both to professionals and race-goers alike.

Harry Findlay, who must have thought that his colours would go very close on Big Fella Thanks as they turned for home, was leading the applause as McCoy stepped up to receive his trophy, while Chanelle McCoy, the jockey's wife, said that "for a man that doesn't get too emotional, this is a hugely emotional end." What now for McCoy? He is 36 next month, which is old enough for a jump jockey, though some have ridden into their early 40s. He is a father now, too, and it was noticeable that his voice only threatened to crack with the emotion when he said that "hopefully in years to come, this might have given her something to be proud of me about". Until today, McCoy's brilliant career was incomplete. Now, he knows that when he tries to execute the hardest trick of all for a jump jockey and retire at a moment of his choosing, he will do so with nothing left to prove. His friend and rival Ruby Walsh missed the National after fracturing his left arm in two places in a fall from Celestial Halo in an earlier race. His place on Big Fella Thanks was taken by Barry Geraghty.

Walsh will also miss the ride on Denman, if he lines up for Saturday's Scottish National. McCoy wins Grand National in 15th attempt - Horse Racing - ESPN McCoy wins Grand National in 15th attempt Updated: April 10, 2010, 12:14 PM ET Associated Press Subscribe LIVERPOOL, England -- Jockey Tony McCoy has won his first Grand National steeplechase in his 15th try, guiding 10-1 joint favorite Don't Push It past Black Apalachi down the straight for a five-length victory. State Of Play went one better than last year by finishing third in the grueling 4½-mile, 30-fence race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, on Saturday. McCoy was "delighted" to finally win the race and plug a gap in a career that includes finishing 14 years as Britain's top rider. Joint favorite Big Fella Thanks was fourth with jockey Barry Geraghty on board because Ruby Walsh was hurt in an earlier race. Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire.

Wire index Grand National: Tony McCoy wins at 15th attempt | Daily Star Racing Grand National: Tony McCoy wins at 15th attempt HE had everything – 14-time champion jockey, an MBE from the Queen – and lauded as the greatest jump jockey the world has ever seen. Published 11th April 2010 Tony McCoy won the Grand National at Aintree But AP McCoy had never won the prize he so desperately craved – the Grand National at Aintree. That was until just after 4.25pm yesterday when magnifi cent McCoy dramatically changed history, racing home aboard 10-1 joint-favourite Don’t Push It. The win ended all those years of hurt since he rode Chatam in 1995 and fell at the 12th. This was his time. His moment to savour what he had been cruelly denied. And boy, did the emotions fl ood over McCoy and the 80,000 fans who witnessed this epic victory. McCoy shed tears as he was led towards the winner’s enclosure he thought he’d never see.

And immediately he dedicated his triumph to his mum, dad, his wife Chanelle and two- and-a-half-year-old daughter Eve, who was watching at home on television. McCoy blubbed: “I’m delighted for my mum dad, Chanelle and Eve. She will be proud of me when she’s grown up. “I’m supposed to be a good jockey so not winning the National would have been a bit negative on my CV.” Chanelle was naturally caught up in all the emotion as well. She said: “It means the world to him. It’s unbelievable. Eve was watching at home and I know she would have been cheering him all the way.” The whole world went nuts on a day when global betting on this euphoric event totalled a staggering £140million. But as the star of John Smith’s adverts Peter Kay would have said – if he could have put words in McCoy’s own lips: ’Ave it. Never was there a more worthy winner as McCoy streaked home ahead of Black Apalachi in second and third-placed State Of Play.

McCoy’s daughter is a fan of Ruby Walsh but he was dramatically KO’d before the big race after tumbling from Celestial Halo two fl ights from home in the Dick Francis Hurdle. Walsh was taken to hospital for X-rays on a suspected broken arm and his ride on Big Fella Thanks was handed to Barry Geraghty, who fi nished fourth. There was more drama at the start when the fi eld fl ew off without a couple of stranded horses and they had to be called back to the tapes. Then when they lined up again, King Johns Castle was clearly unhappy and, after jockey Paul Carberry dismounted, no amount of coaxing with witches brooms could get the JP McManus grey to take part. Ironic, then, that one of McManus’s string refused to budge while another in Don’t Push It couldn’t be held back in a pulsating race. Conna Castle led from the start and went four lengths clear ahead of Black Apalachi. He was still in front at The Chair with 30 left for the second circuit with Flintoff, half-owned by England hero Freddie, in last place.

At the Canal Turn, Black Apalachi took the lead as McCoy moved through the fi eld and, with two left, he was still in fourth place. Suddenly, Don’t Push It was ahead at The Elbow and McCoy stretched away, heading for the fi nishing line. Could he do it? Yes, he could. And, as the world and McCoy held its breath, history was made. Twelve months to the day, McCoy was one of the fi rst to congratulate the 2009 winner Liam Treadwell on his fi rst-ever National ride. McCoy tapped him on the back and said: “You jammy b******. It’s your fi rst ride. I’ve had 14 goes and still can’t win it...” He’s not second-best any more. Tony McCoy wins Grand National at 15th attempt - Wales Online News Tony McCoy wins Grand National at 15th attempt Tony McCoy finally won the John Smith’s Grand National as Don’t Push It – his 15th ride in the race – provided the champion jockey with a famous win at Aintree. Share Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email Tony McCoy finally won the John Smith’s Grand National as Don’t Push It – his 15th ride in the race – provided the champion jockey with a famous win at Aintree. Black Apalachi was prominent throughout but McCoy was always stalking him on the second circuit. As they jumped the last together, McCoy galvanised his mount to take up the running before the Elbow and the relief the record-breaking rider showed immediately afterwards was immense. Legendary owner-gambler JP McManus had been trying to win the Aintree spectacular for years but his ambition finally came true. Nina Carberry, attempting to become the first woman to win the race on Character Building, had a great spin round to finish seventh with Snowy Morning sixth to add to his good record in the race. Last year’s winner Mon Mome still appeared to be going well when he fell at the 26th fence. A tearful McCoy said: ``I'm being a big wuss. It means everything to me to win the Grand National. "I’ve won lots of big races and I’m supposed to be a good jockey, but to not win the Grand National would be a bit of a negative on the CV.

"I’m delighted for my mum and dad as they’ve been great for me throughout the years, and for my wife Chanelle and my daughter Eve, who is two and a half. "Hopefully now she’ll be proud of me when she grows up." McCoy continued: ``My trainer put me on the right one if truth be known. I asked him to toss a coin and I think he tossed it a few times until he got Don't Push It. "I couldn’t have picked it, but Jonjo was very adamant and I didn’t argue with him. "If you get enough goes at something and you keep going, once you’re in there you’ve always got a chance. "I’m delighted for JP (McManus) as he’s the best supporter this game has ever had and ever will have, and I’m very privileged to ride a Grand National winner in his colours." Chanelle McCoy said: ``I'm speechless. For him to do this means the absolute world to him. I know he would have loved his parents to be here. "It is so emotional and for him to do it for Mr McManus and for Jonjo and Jacqui (O’Neill), it is a fantastic achievement.

It’s brilliant." O'Neill said: ``It's fantastic and I thought it would never happen to me. "I’m delighted it’s happened and I’m delighted for AP (McCoy) and JP and all the lads. "Alan Berry does everything with this horse at home so well done to him. The horse lives out in a field with half a dozen sheep. "I didn’t believe it was going to happen until they passed the post as I thought something was going to happen, but it’s marvellous. "Things can’t get much better than this. McManus added: "First of all I want to thank Frank Berry (racing manager) as he found the horse in Listowel and I don’t think without Frank we would have had the horse.

"Full marks to Jonjo and the team as he’s been a difficult horse down the years to keep right and keep his mind right." Like us on Facebook Grand National 2010: Don't Push It is lucky 15 for Tony McCoy at Aintree - Telegraph Horse Racing Grand National 2010: Don't Push It is lucky 15 for Tony McCoy at Aintree AP McCoy, the 14-times champion jockey, finally won the John Smith's Grand National at his 15th attempt on Saturday when Don't Push It, trained by Jonjo O'Neill and owned by legendary gambler JP McManus, put in a faultless round to come home five lengths clear of Black Apalachi.

Mine's a pint: Tony McCoy celebrates after winning the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Photo: GETTY IMAGES By Marcus Armytage 8:57PM BST 10 Apr 2010 No winner of a modern Grand National has ever had quite the reception that the popular McCoy received from a packed grandstand as he and the 10-year-old Don’t Push It, who spends most of his life in a field with some Jacob sheep for company, paraded down in front of the packed grandstands afterwards. Champions: Tony McCoy is handed the Grand National winner's trophy by Peter Kay The horse was backed into 10-1 joint-favouritism on the day purely on the grounds that McCoy, 35 and in the twilight of his extraordinary career which has yielded over 3,200 winners, is the one jockey that once-a-year punters have heard of and not because McManus had invested large amounts.

“I just had a few quid on Big Fella Thanks,” said McManus afterwards, “and I’m happy I was wrong.” If winning a National can ever be plain sailing it was on this occasion but McCoy has endured such bad luck in previous efforts – he has twice been carried out by loose horses when in with a winning chance – he had reached the stage of accepting that he would never win it and had been low-key about his chances beforehand. ‘Champion jockey doesn’t win Grand National again’ had become such an old story that McCoy had almost slipped into this year’s race unnoticed under the radar. It was a different story in the race, however. “After a mile I turned to Davy Russell and wanted to tell him that I thought I’d win at that stage,” he said.

“I wouldn’t have swapped him for anything.” An end-to-end gallop, set on the first circuit by Conna Castle, ensured that by the time they field reached Valentine’s (fence 25) on the second circuit there were only four horses in with a chance of winning, Don’t Push It, Big Fella Thanks, the other joint-favourite, Hello Bud, ridden by schoolboy Sam Twiston-Davies – his essay ‘what I did in the holidays’ should make good reading – and the bold-jumping Black Apalachi. Related Articles Chips are on Black Apalachi 09 Apr 2010 Between the last two fences Hello Bud began to tire and the trip began to take its toll on Big Fella Thanks. In front, however, McCoy’s mount was travelling much sweeter than Black Apalachi and though the game runner-up was still only a length down at the elbow, it was Don’t Push It who galloped home the stronger under the Champion’s driving. “He’s always had a few mental problems which makes two of us,” said McCoy, one of the most driven sportsmen in the world. “That’s probably why we get on so well.

I had a choice of two horses today and the trainer put me on the right one, he steered me towards Don’t Push It. But I’m delighted for JP McManus because he is the best supporter this game has ever had and ever will have. I am very, very privileged that I rode a Grand National winner in these colours.” He added: “I had to keep consoling myself that Peter Scudamore and John Francome were great champions who never won the race and that I was, at least, in good company.” O’Neill, was likewise a popular champion jockey who never won the race as a rider. In fact he never completed the course in seven attempts. “I was walking round with my boys today and when we got to the Canal Turn I said ‘this is where we stop, I don’t know what goes on beyond this point.’ We have had a bit of bad luck in the past, particularly with Clan Royal, and I thought it would never happen to me.” His association with McManus, who owns the yard where he trains near Stow-on-the-Wold, began five decades ago when he rode Jack of Trumps for him.

“Really Alan Berry [the stable amateur] does everything with Don’t Push It. He lives in a field - but don’t tell JP that because I charge him full training fees, and Alan takes him out on his own most days. He’s had plenty of physical problems but when the right horse turns up he’s good.” He was found as a three-year-old store horse in a field where he was bred by McManus’s racing manager, Frank Berry. “I thought his time had passed him by,” said Berry. “He’s always been a nearly horse.” Behind the first two State Of Play, last year’s fourth stayed on to go one better this time, with Big Fella Thanks fourth. Hello Bud was fifth. Nina Carberry, the only female rider, was seventh of the 14 finishers which also included previous winner Comply Or Die in 12th. Can’t Buy Time, McCoy’s other possible ride, unseated at the eighth.

Mon Mome, last year’s winner, fell at the 26th soon after Dream Alliance, the fairytale horse bred on a Welsh allotment, had pulled up at the 24th while King Johns Castle, another of McManus’s quartet of runners, refused to start. All 40 horses returned unscathed while Wayne Hutchinson, the only faller at the first on Eric’s Charm, was the only human casualty, going home for an X-ray on his hand. Grand National 2010 - as it happened | Chris Cook and James Dart | Sport | theguardian.com Grand National Grand National 2010 - as it happened Tony McCoy finally won the National as Don't Push It - his 15th ride in the race - provided the champ with a famous win Saturday 10 April 2010 11.24 BST Tony McCoy celebrates on Don't Push It. Photograph: David Davies/PA Preamble Good morning and welcome to our coverage from Grand National day.

It's a bright, sunny day at Aintree , where today's card kicks off at 1.45pm, with four races before the showpiece, due off at 4.15pm . In the meantime, why not read how Donald McCain is hoping to follow in his father Ginger's footsteps and train a winner in the National, today in the form of Cloudy Lane . Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results. And click here for today's latest odds and market movers. 11.45am Is it a Snowy day? The most tipped horse in the national newspapers today is Snowy Morning, who has three votes, while Niche Market, King Johns Castle and, weirdly, Ballyfitz have two each. There are other tips for Big Fella Thanks, Eric's Charm, Comply Or Die, Backstage and Black Apalachi. So that's a quarter of the field that the tipsters have covered between them. What are the odds that they've missed the winner? 11.50am Money for the outsiders In common with the newspaper tipsters, it seems that the betting public is not especially interested by the Grand National favourite, Big Fella Thanks.

The PR people for the major bookmakers are reporting that the interesting big bets this morning have been for other horses. Kate Miller of William Hill says they've taken a £5,000 bet to win on State Of Play, a 16-1 shot, while David Williams of Ladbrokes says they've had two bets of £2,000 on Beat The Boys at 100-1 and have laid a total of £20,000 on Dream Alliance at 40-1. 11.59am Backstage the mover on Betfair Disturbingly for those of us who think the ground has come right for the Irish raider Backstage, the eight-year-old drifted out to 39-1 on Betfair last night, suggesting that perhaps all was not well with him. Happily he has now been supported into 29-1, so hopefully there is nothing to worry about. Last year's winner, Mon Mome, is a slight drifter now, out to 16-1 from an opening 14-1.

12.04pm A Dream Alliance joke Dream Alliance, as we should all know by now , is the fairytale waiting to happen in this year's National. The chestnut was foaled and raised on a tiny allotment on a slagheap in Wales, just north of the M4. So how will he jump those big Aintree fences? Caerphilly! 12.13pm The going gets faster The going on the Grand National course is now good, with good to soft places, meaning there is as little moisture in the ground as there ever is at Aintree. It is a dramatic change from what was expected 10 days ago, when parts of the course were heavy and a soft-ground race was widely anticipated. Among the horses who should be suited by decent ground are Backstage, Beat The Boys, Mon Mome, Cloudy Lane, State Of Play, Maljimar and Ollie Magern. Those who would probably prefer softer going include Eric's Charm, Preists Leap, Vic Venturi and Dream Alliance.

12.21pm McCoy picks up spare ride Those who follow the champion jockey might like to note that Tony McCoy has picked up a spare ride in the race before the National, the 3.25pm, in which he will ride Rare Bob. He replaces Paddy Flood, who broke his collar bone in a fall yesterday. 12.24pm Two more good-ground horses Will Hayler, our tipster at the track, nominates My Will and Niche Market as two other horses who will be well suited by the good-ish ground on the National course today. Will has, of course, tipped Niche Market in this morning's Guardian. 12.28pm Non-runners As yet, there are no non-runners in the Grand National, but some horses have been pulled out of the other races at Aintree today. In the second race at 2.15, French Opera and Green Belt Elite are out. Souffler will not line up for the third race at 2.50pm, while Offshore Account is a non-runner in the 3.25pm. Arctic Wings has been taken out of the 5pm race.

12.30pm Big Fella friendless The Grand National favourite, Big Fella Thanks, has been so poorly backed that several firms are now offering bigger odds than they had first thing this morning. He is a top price of 11-1 now, a point bigger than he was on the high street when the betting shops opened. His trainer, Paul Nicholls, has dominated jump racing for several years but has failed to win the National so far, despite fielding 44 runners since 1992. He also has Tricky Trickster, My Will and Nozic running for him today. 12.36pm Fingers crossed that it isn't yours . . . Over on the chatroom at Betfair, a tasteful discussion is taking place as to which horse will be the first to fall in today's National. Ballyfitz is the only horse that has so far been nominated more than once. It is true to say that he has not always been the cleanest of jumpers and our best wishes go with him and his jockey, David England. 12.57pm A grey day?

In the Grand National's history, which goes back more than 170 years, there have only ever been two grey-coloured winners (not counting the jockeys). The most recent grey was Nicolaus Silver in 1961. But there are four greys running today who, between them, must have a good chance of rewarding those who like to back horses of that colour. They are Beat The Boys, Character Building, King Johns Castle and Piraya. 1.21pm McCoy playing it cool The retired jockey Mick Fitzgerald is on the BBC just now, teasing Tony McCoy about the fact that he has never won the National and saying he seems very relaxed for someone with such a monkey on his back. "I've got past the stage of being not relaxed about it," McCoy replied, with what seemed an unforced smile. He said his ambition was always to be champion jockey and his ability to reach that ambition each season, he feels, is something he is able to control. "Whereas the National is something I have no control over." 1.25pm Aintree's first race is up in 15 minutes . . .

The hot favourite for the novice hurdle that opens today's card is Peddlers Cross at 5-4. He is trained by Donald McCain, son of Ginger, who trained Red Rum to win three Grand Nationals back in the 70s. 1.50pm Peddlers Cross wins the opener That's got favourite-backers off to a good start on Grand National day. Peddlers Cross (5-4), a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last month, has followed up at Aintree and is a really classy-looking horse. He thrived on this decent ground and settled in nicely behind a strong pace set by Bygones Of Brid, who faded. Duke Of Lucca (7-1) was second. Paul Nicholls' Najaf (4-1), who had been second in a longer race at Cheltenham, was outpaced at the top of the straight but ran on strongly in the last quarter-mile to be third. He needs three miles to be seen at his best. The winning trainer and jockey, Donald McCain and Jason Maguire, will team up later with Cloudy Lane in the Grand National. 2.07pm Tensions rising in the heat . . .

John Smith's, sponsors of the Grand National, have provided paddock sheets bearing their logo to be worn by every runner as it enters the paddock before the big race this afternoon. The rules state that each horse must wear the sheet. Ordinarily at this time of year, trainers would wish to ensure that their horses have paddock sheets on until the jockey gets on board. But it's unseasonably hot in Liverpool today and a couple of trainers are making enquiries as to whether they can be allowed to wriggle out of the rule, because they don't want their horses getting warm and sweating up under those sheets before the National. 2.19pm Tataniano wins the novice chase A very impressive success by Tataniano (100-3), who bounded off this fast ground. The horse pulled his way to the front down the back straight, probably before his jockey, Ruby Walsh, really wanted to get there, and the pair had the race in safe keeping some way from home. Osana, the 5-2 favourite, ran on to be second, with Archie Boy (12-1) third.

Graham Lee took a heavy fall late in the race but appears to be OK and should be able to ride The Package in the National. 2.26pm Boost for Big Fella Tataniano, of course, represents the same trainer/jockey combination (Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh) as Big Fella Thanks, the National favourite. The BBC team are reporting support for Big Fella Thanks ("down to 8-1 in places" they cry), though he still remains 11-1 in other places. 2.44pm Greg Wood reports on Tataniano's win Tataniano took the Grade One Maghull Novice Chase in outstanding style and may now be put away to preserve him for next season. "Obviously we were all very impressed with that," Andy Stewart, his owner, said. "Ruby [Walsh, the jockey] said we should look after him and we'll come back next year in all the top two-mile races. "He's got to have good ground. We shouldn't have run him at Newbury [on soft ground in January] when he got turned over at 2-5, but it's beautiful, safe jumping ground today and he beat some very good horses.

"We could maybe go to Punchestown, but we think he could go to the top and we need to look after him. The Champion Chase would be a big mountain to climb, he's got a stone and a half to find to be good enough, but the way he jumps means that the Tingle Creek [at Sandown in December] could be ideal for him. "He has the ability to deal with the rat-a-tat-tat of the Railway fences, and the Tingle Creek is a lovely race." Earlier, the McCain family kicked off what is always the biggest day of their year with the victory of Peddlers Cross in the Mersey Novice Hurdle. The novice is now unbeaten in six starts, including successes at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. "He'd recovered within half an hour of his Cheltenham run," Donald McCain said. "We were almost hoping for a sign that would stop us coming here because you see so many Cheltenham winners not doing it here. "He's a hell of a good horse and he's improving and learning to race all the time. He's jumped better again today and he's a serious tool. I've never had one like him.

"I was looking forward to Cheltenham but I came here today thinking I was on a hiding to nothing because you just don't want to make a mess of horses like this. "I don't know [about going chasing next season]. His first run is likely to be over hudles just to get the fizz out of him and after that we'll see." 2.56pm Khyber Kim wins Aintree Hurdle, Ruby takes nasty fall Great drama in the Aintree Hurdle, in which the favourite, Zaynar, was just about the first beaten. Khyber Kim ran on well to win impressively, though he may have had trouble from Celestial Halo, who was cruising until taking a crashing fall at the second-last. Celestial Halo's jockey, Ruby Walsh, is being treated on the track and we must hope he is not injured. 3pm Odds on that race Khyber Kim won at 7-2, Muirhead was second at 10-1, Zaynar ran on when it was too late to snatch third at 11-8, just ahead of Won In The Dark and Petit Robin.

3.08pm Ruby being stretchered off the course This does not look good. Ruby Walsh has just been stretchered off the racecourse with his arm in a sling. He will not ride in the next race, the 3.25pm, in which Nick Scholfield will take his place on Tatenen. It also looks very much as though the National favourite, Big Fella Thanks, is in need of another jockey. Any volunteers? 3.13pm Walsh has a suspected broken arm Ruby Walsh is out of the Grand National and, indeed, will not be riding for some time. He has a suspected broken arm, following his fall in the Aintree Hurdle and is on his way to hospital. 3.14pm Richard Johnson rides in the National! The unfortunate Walsh may be replaced by Richard Johnson, who would certainly be the most experienced jockey at Aintree who did not already have a National ride. He is the only jump jockey, apart from Tony McCoy, to have ridden more than 2,000 winners. Paul Nicholls' team are discussing whether Johnson or Barry Geraghty will be on Big Fella Thanks. The other one will ride Tricky Trickster.

3.18pm Big Fella on the slide Newly out to 11.5-1 on Betfair. 3.18pm Geraghty on Big Fella Thanks! Paul Nicholls has decided that Barry Geraghty will be switched onto Big Fella Thanks from Tricky Trickster in the Grand National. Richard Johnson has been called up to partner Tricky Trickster. 3.27pm No reason to worry about the new jockey, Big Fella fans Barry Geraghty rode Big Fella Thanks on his most recent run, when he won a valuable race at Newbury. Richard Johnson has never ridden Tricky Trickster before. 3.31pm Johnson warms up with a winner Richard Johnson, newly called up to Grand National duty, has just won the preceding race on From Dawn To Dusk (12-1), who finished strongly to power away from Dom D'Orgeval (8-1). The runner-up got a dream run and looked the most likely winner for most of the home straight but got tired before the winner.

3.34pm The other places for that race Rare Bob (8-1) held on to third place ahead of Wogan, the 5-1 favourite. 3.45pm: OK, James here. You'll be with my incapable hands for the next hour and a bit. My 1-2-3-4? 1) Sad Ken Backstage; 2) Cerium; 3) Mon Mome; 4) Eric's Charm. There's four to avoid, for starters. And as it's National time, how about some lump-in-the-throat-inducing sounds from Carl Davis ? 3.48pm: Latest betting : Big Fella Thanks 9-1; Snowy Morning 12-1; The Package 12-1; Black Apalachi 14-1; State Of Play 14-1; Arbor Supreme 16-1; Mon Mome 16-1. News from the course: Flintoff has been backed as short as 40-1 in from 80s after the horse, part-owned by the former England cricketer, was tipped up by that famous tipster ... Peter Kay on BBC1.

3.52pm: The parade ring is filling up with the contenders for this year's race. Richard Dunwoody points to Flintoff (the horse) and declares, "he looks pretty switched off - a bit like his owner". 3.55pm: My Will is the paddock pick on the BBC and has been backed down as short as 29-1 on Betfair, where you can still get 11.5-1 on the favourite Big Fella Thanks. 3.57pm: Click-clack, click-clack, click-clack: here come the jockeys, led by last year's winner Liam Treadwell, who goes on Nozic today ... 3.59pm: After lining up for the customary jockey photograph - how do they choose who goes in the front row and the back? - the riders head off to meet their connections. Dream Alliance has been halved in price to 20s with the regular layers, while Beat The Boys is now 33-1 (75-1 on Betfair), having been 200s last night.

4pm: "His father gifted it [to me] as a wedding present," explains Andrew Flintoff of the horse in his name. "It can't lose," he adds with a smile. 4.04pm: Claire Balding may be a decent anchor, especially when milling around the owners, connections and riders involved in the parade ring. But she's no Martin Brundle , that's for sure. 4.07pm: Seven of the last 10 winning jockeys have worn green. This bodes well for Mon Mome, obviously, Black Apalachi, Cerium, Irish Raptor and the JP McManus pair Can't Buy Time and King Johns Castle. And Cloudy Lane. 4.09pm: The Aintree grandstands are being treated to the pre-race ride-along. It's still a beautiful afternoon in the north-west, with a little more cloud cover, but it's a gorgeous day for the Grand National. 4.11pm: Don't Push It is now joint favourite with Big Fella Thanks at 10-1 - Comply Or Die is 12-1. Dream Alliance is now in to 18s.

Hello Bud has also been slashed to 22s from 40-1. Nozic is now half the 100-1 he was a little earlier. 4.12pm: Tony McCoy rides the new joint-favourite. He's sweating at the start (the horse not AP), but Kinane insists it's nothing to be worried about. 4.14pm: Mon Mome is reported to now be "a bit worked up", and The Package also looks "a little too warm". 4.15pm: The first glimpse of the race starter as the field begin to circle around ... 4.16pm: And we're off ... OR ARE WE? 4.17pm: False start. A host of horses were out the back of the field and King Johns Castle doesn't even have his jockey on board ... 4.18pm: Paul Carberry still isn't in the saddle of King Johns Castle, which is forcing a longer delay to the restart ... AND THEY'RE OFF ... Carberry gets in the saddle but King Johns Castle isn't having any of it and forlornly watches the field speed into the distance ... Eric's Charm goes down at the first ...

Pablo Du Charmil down at the second ... My Will down at the fourth ... Black Apalachi leads ... Made In Taipan falls ... Snowy Morning and Comply Or Die both well placed ... Conna Castle clears the Canal Turn well in the front ... Can't Buy Time went down at the Canal Turn, but it's Conna Castle and Black Apalachi leading the field ... across the Melling Road for the second time on the first lap and it's Conna Castle four lengths clear of Black Apalachi and then Sam Twiston-Davies on Hello Bud ... coming towards the end of the first lap, it's still Conna Castle and Black Apalachi - Irish Raptor falls ... the leading pair are still a good half a dozen lengths clear ... 30 horses make the end of the first lap ... Flintoff is last ... Big Fella Thanks is fourth behind the aforementioned top three ... Madison Du Berlais and The Package both unseat their riders ... Backstage falls ... over Becher's on the second lap, a big mistake from Conna Castle and Black Apalachi leads - Ballyfitz goes down ...

at the Canal Turn for a second time, Don't Push It moves up to fourth with AP on board ... Black Apalachi leads, with Hello Bud, Big Fella Thanks and Don't Push It. Dream Alliance is out, as is Mon Mome ... a mistake from Black Apalachi as Don't Push It moves menacingly into third ... one of four now, surely: Black Apalachi leads round the final turn, with Hello Bud second, Don't Push It and Big Fella Thanks ... it's Don't Push It v Black Apalachi now at the elbow ... AP McCOY WINS ONE ON DON'T PUSH IT 1) Don't Push It 10-1jf, trained by Jonjo O'Neill 2) Black Apalachi 14-1 3) State Of Play 16-1 4) Big Fella Thanks 10-1jf Hello Bud finishes fifth, Snowy Morning in sixth, Nina Carberry and Character Building seventh. McCoy is interviewed and is doing all he can not to burst into tears, declaring that "I'm being a big wuss. It means everything to me to win the Grand National.

I've won lots of big races and I'm supposed to be a good jockey, but to not win the Grand National would be a bit of a negative on the CV. I'm delighted for my mum and dad as they've been great for me throughout the years, and for my wife Chanelle and my daughter Eve, who is two and a half. Hopefully now she'll be proud of me when she grows up." He adds: "If you get enough goes at something and you get yourself in there, you always have a chance of winning." Crikey, I see why the BBC have about 189 commentators to deal with that race. I'm shattered. Tony McCoy Horse Racing Betting Tips & Latest Odds Home › Horse Racing › Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Tony McCoy, also known more commonly as AP McCoy, was born in County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1974. With over 4000 winners to his name, he is regarded as the most successful national hunt jockey in history. In 2010 he was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. That was the first time anyone from the world of horse racing had won the award.

During the 2013 ceremony he finished third behind Andy Murray and Leigh Halfpenny. In the early stages of McCoy's career, he rode for Jim Bolger in Ireland on the flat. His first winner came at the age of 17 on March 26, 1992 at Thurles. He rode Legal Steps to victory, while working as an apprentice for Bolger. After switching to jumps racing, due to becoming too tall to ride regularly in flat races, he won the Conditional Jumps Jockeys Title in England in 1995. The very next season he became champion jockey for the first time. That marked the start of his 18 consecutive titles as he has picked up the honours at the end of every season from that point. McCoy landed the blue riband event of national hunt racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in 1997 on board Mr Mulligan for trainer Noel Chance. His second success in the most prestigious race over jumps came 15 years later in 2012 with Synchronised. That was for his current boss J.P. McManus and trainer Jonjo O Neill, for whom he regularly rides for.

During the 2001/2002 campaign, he ended the season with 289 winners, a record total in national hunt racing in the UK. The previous best was set by Sir Gordon Richards in 1947 with a tally of 269. The landmark was achieved by the Northern Irishman when he scored on Valfonic at Warwick on April 2, 2002. The one big race which McCoy had not won until 2010 was the Grand National . It was his 15th attempt at the world famous steeplechase when he joined up with Don't Push It that year. The horse was subject to a big gamble on the morning of the race and the pair were able to succeed at odds of 10/1. Later that year, the jockey was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in honour of his achievements. On November 7, 2013 he rode his 4000th career winner on board Mountain Tunes at Towcester. That landmark ensured he was on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award once again, and on that occasion he picked up the third place trophy.

BBC Sport - Horse Racing - Tony McCoy eyes more glory in Champion Jockey stakes Tony McCoy eyes more glory in Champion Jockey stakes McCoy with Don't Push It at Jonjo O'Neill's yard on Sunday Tony McCoy has immediately targeted another champion jockey title after finally ending his Grand National jinx. McCoy will win his 15th straight crown when the season ends on 24 April, and has already set his sights on doing the same in the 2010-11 campaign. "I want to be champion jockey again and I want Binocular to win the Champion Hurdle (at Cheltenham) again," he said. The 35-year-old was straight back in the winning habit on Sunday, riding Aberdale to victory at Southwell. Despite having celebrated his Aintree victory until the early hours of Sunday morning, McCoy - who is teetotal - steered the 8-11 favourite to victory by 15 lengths in the Ashfield Chad Maiden Hurdle after arriving at the course by helicopter.

"I didn't get home until 5am and have only had a couple of hours' sleep," said McCoy, who sits on top of this season's champion jockey table with 193 wins, well clear of second-placed Richard Johnson. "I had a few Red Bulls to keep me awake, but this is a surreal feeling. If I liked the taste of champagne I might have had some, but I don't even like the taste." Among McCoy's many well-wishers was three-time champion Flat jockey Frankie Dettori, who also conquered his own big-race hoodoo at the 15th attempt. 606: DEBATE With this historic moment, and the emotion that went with it, watched by millions I can't think of a more deserving winner of SPOTY. ObjectiveRon Just like McCoy, the Italian-born rider had failed to win the most famous race in his sphere - the Derby at Epsom - in 14 attempts before an emotional triumph on Authorised in 2007.

Dettori called McCoy to offer his congratulations, and the Northern Irishman received a hero's welcome from more than 4,000 fans at Southwell - double the attendance the course had been expecting prior to McCoy's famous win at Aintree. McCoy, meanwhile, confirmed that he is not contemplating retirement. "I didn't get to see many of the boys after the race, but (fellow jockeys) Tom Scudamore and Paddy Brennan kept asking me when I am going to retire," added McCoy. "I do hope that one day I wake up and say 'that this isn't for me' before I make a fool out of myself. "I love what I do and hope for my own mental state that I do wake up like that one day, but I fear something will drag me down." Don't Push It wins the Grand National McCoy had feared he was destined to join the likes of John Francome and Peter Scudamore as top jockeys who never won the most famous race in the world. "For the last 14 years I have left Aintree thinking I will never win the National," he said. "Every year I have then gone back and started to convince myself that it is possible.

"After jumping five or six fences I thought it could happen and the more we went on the more confident I became. "Don't Push It has always had a bit of class and I knew that if he took to it then he could win. "The way he jumped the first few fences I knew we had a chance of winning. Each time I pulled him out and showed him daylight he kept picking up and he gave me the impression he would stay." McCoy has been in touch twice with close friend Ruby Walsh, who broke his arm in a fall which ruled him out of the National. Bookmark with:

Question: On which horse did Tony McCoy win the 2010 Grand National on his 15th attempt?
Answer: Don't Push It